Sustainability

In new buildings or where major renovations were completed, both indoor water fixtures (sinks and toilets) and irrigation sprinkler heads are WaterSense® certified to reduce facility water use. Water bottle filling stations were also installed to encourage the use of reusable water bottles, reducing the environmental impacts caused by single-use plastic water bottles.

Stormwater systems collect storm runoff and prevent flooding. At new schools, and schools where major renovations were completed, stormwater detention ponds are landscaped with rocks and native species plantings and serve to collect runoff, filter pollutants, and allow the water to soak into the ground and slowly release to the city’s storm sewer system.

Renovations will maximize energy efficiencies through the upgrades and replacement of mechanical systems at all K-5 schools, and lighting systems will be upgraded to LED at all K-5 schools. All exterior windows will be replaced at Franklin K-8 to increase energy efficiency.

All new heating and cooling systems are tested and balanced when construction is complete to ensure they are working properly. Follow-up testing will also be completed after the building has been in use to ensure that systems work as designed and provide comfortable learning spaces while optimizing energy use.

The District’s solar installations and production by site were reviewed. Two buildings were identified as resiliency sites that can operate in the event of a major power outage. They include bigger solar arrays and batteries that can sustain basic building operations. The District’s goal in the event of a disaster is to get kids back into school as quickly as possible.

• Lincoln and Mt. View Elementary Schools are the designated sites that will have battery capacity to operate bathrooms, ventilation in common areas, kitchens for refrigeration and lights, and power in school offices for office data systems. Daylighting and operable windows have also been included in the school designs to support building resiliency.

Other sites with solar maximization include Corvallis High and the Adams/District Office site. The Adams Elementary roof did not meet the feasibility requirements for a solar installation so a ground-mounted array is in place adjacent to the District office. In addition to an expanded solar array, Corvallis High School currently has a generator that allows for emergency power. The District’s partnership with the Corvallis Sustainability Coalition has allowed for more solar arrays at this school with investments from the community.

Educational arrays are at all other school sites. While relatively modest, these installations will provide students an opportunity to learn about solar energy and they support the District Sustainability Management Plan and goals.

* Planned

**150kW new + 117kW existing = 267kW

In new buildings or where major renovations were completed, upgrades to the school’s heating and cooling systems were made to increase energy efficiency. Ceiling fans will also be installed to improve comfort and decrease the need to use air conditioning.

An online energy and water use dashboard will show the facility’s current energy and water use as well as long-term use trends. This tool will be accessible to all students and can be used by the school’s green teams to identify conservation opportunities or in the classroom for students to learn about how buildings use energy and water. This tool is scheduled to launch in the fall of 2022.

Sustainability design features at Lincoln Elementary, Bessie Coleman Elementary, and Garfield Elementary are highlighted with signage both at the school’s main entrance and throughout the building in common areas covering such topics as solar power, recycling, low water flow fixtures, and increased covered bike parking spots. This type of educational signage will be included in buildings throughout the district as projects are completed.

Successful school recycling and waste reduction efforts are supported by dedicated space for collecting, sorting, storing, and removing recyclable materials, compost, and waste. Recycling and composting programs at our schools prevent as much waste as possible from going to the landfill.

Construction waste will be collected and taken to a facility for sorting. This will allow the recyclable materials to be separated, which will reduce the amount of waste sent to the landfill.

Furniture, water fixtures, cabinets, or other equipment that may be reused was removed before demolition to reduce the amount of waste sent to the landfill.

To promote the health of our community and environment, active transportation is encouraged. New sidewalks around our schools are 8 feet wide and support multi-modal transportation. Covered bike parking was expanded at most school locations.

EV Charging Stations were installed in all school parking lots where major renovation was completed. When all bond projects are completed, EV charging stations will be at Adams, Bessie Coleman, Garfield, Lincoln, and Mountain View Elementary Schools, Cheldelin Middle School, Corvallis High School, and Crescent Valley High School.